Summer camp is often more than just fun and games. For working parents, it can be a necessity, providing childcare coverage during the summer break. For kids, it can be a valuable way to learn independence and social skills and grow in confidence, not to mention serve as an experience remembered fondly for years to come. But when parents are divorced or separated, the question of who pays for summer camp often lands back in the realm of child support and who is responsible for what.

What the Law Says

According to Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines, the basic support schedule does not automatically include expenses for such things as private school tuition, summer camp, or other “special needs.” However, that doesn’t mean these costs are off the table.

In fact, as outlined on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s child support rule amendments, “If the court determines that one or more such needs are reasonable, the expense thereof shall be allocated between the parties in proportion to their net incomes.” (Translation: If summer camp is considered a reasonable expense, the cost can be split proportionately between parents—on top of the basic child support obligation.)

What Defines “Reasonable”

What’s considered as “reasonable” can vary from case to case. One parent may view a camp as a valuable learning opportunity, while the other sees it as unnecessary or too expensive, especially if it’s a specialty program. The court may weigh several factors, including:

Is it a reasonable expense, given the parents’ financial circumstances?
Is it related to the child’s education, development or care?
Has the child participated in similar activities in the past?

If the camp provides necessary supervision while a parent works, or if it offers educational or therapeutic value to the child, a judge is more likely to consider it essential. In terms of who covers the expense, the parties’ income levels, the child’s needs, and the history of extracurricular spending can all come into play.

Income Matters

Our earlier blog on child support and extra expenses outlines how courts often look at whether the expense benefits the child, whether there’s been a pattern of paying for it in the past, and what both parties can afford. However, the standard child support formula may not apply neatly when substantial income is involved. In those cases, courts have broader discretion to allocate expenses for private schools, extracurriculars—and yes, summer camp.

A Twist: Is it Entertainment…or Essential?

Here’s where it gets interesting: the nature of the camp can affect how the cost is treated under Pennsylvania’s support rules. If the camp functions as childcare — meaning, providing supervision while a parent works — then the expense is more likely to be considered a necessary work-related childcare cost. In that instance, such costs will likely be divided based on each parent’s percentage share of income.

On the other hand, if the camp is considered purely extracurricular—like an enrichment or specialty program—it may fall outside the standard childcare category. In those cases, who pays and how much he or she pays can be subject to discussion or negotiation.

However, thanks to updates that took effect in 2022, Pennsylvania’s child support guidelines now specifically allow for deviations that include extracurricular, music, and athletic expenses, as well as childcare costs like daycare or nannies. These expenses can be added to the basic child support obligation and allocated proportionally between the parents.

To determine whether these extra costs are reasonable—and therefore eligible to be included in support—the courts will consider several factors, including:

The age of the child
The relative assets and liabilities of each parent
Unreimbursed medical expenses
Other financial obligations and unusual needs
Whether the expense aligns with the family’s accustomed standard of living
Additional income sources available to each parent

When Parents Just Can’t See Eye to Eye

Unfortunately, disagreements over extracurricular expenses like camp can quickly become contentious, especially when one parent believes strongly in the value of an activity, and the other does not. If you are at odds with a coparent about what is fair or necessary, you may want to consult with a top attorney for child support issues in Pennsylvania to help work toward a balanced solution.